Welcome!

I've set up this blog so that all my friends, relations and colleagues in the world of writing can keep up to speed with what I'm doing - from now on, I'll never have to say sorry for not keeping in touch.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Well, the beyond my study, anyway. It's been a lovely weekend, and I've had fun with visitors who needed to be taken for scenic walks and then to refuel themselves in Devon pubs - oh, the fatigue, it's really taken it out of me. Or rather, it's given me a glimpse of what retirement might be like. If I live that long...

I'm not looking at the garden any more. It's too tempting, to go out there for ten minutes, ten minutes which stretch into fifteen, into an hour, two hours!

I wonder why we writers, who all love writing so much, are so great at finding ways to avoid doing any writing? I suppose firing up the brain cells every morning is a bit like getting into a swimming pool - agonising at first, but lovely once you're in? It's much easier to loll around on a sun lounger, isn't it?

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Here's a link to a competition for unpublished writers in almost all genres, so it's worth checking out. But read the terms and conditions carefully before you get involved, so that you know exactly what you are offering this publisher - and what this publisher is likely to want from you.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

A bit of vicarious showing off coming along here! I am delighted to see that two of my fellow romantic novelists, Katie Fforde and Trisha Ashley, have been shortlisted for the Melissa Nathan Award this year. It's Trisha's second time to be up for this award, and I am keeping my fingers firmly twisted for both of them.

May the best woman (or man - there's one man on the shortlist) win, but I'm glad I don't have to make the decision!

New season, new competitions, new writing - The New Writer magazine is offering everyone a bargain price subscription right now, and this publication is a great source of competitions, even if you're not a subscriber.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Eurgh, start of the new tax year tomorrow, cue for lots of cursing and moaning as I search for all my receipts, and make a resolution to have everything filed and ready for action on 6 April 2011...

Anyone out there write science fiction, horror or fantasy? There's a new competition for fantasy, horror and science fiction shorts - see www.absentwillowreview.com/contest which looks quite interesting!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

If you enjoy a great romantic read which will have you reaching for the Kleenex but in a good way, I recommend Mary Nichols's RNA Major Award longlisted family saga The Summer House, which is available as a hardback, paperback and in several audio versions, and is my April book of the month.

Margaret James The Silver Locket

Margaret James Elegy for a Queen Kindle Edition

About Me

I'm a novelist, journalist and teacher of creative writing for the London School of Journalism. I've written fifteen published novels and lots of short stories, one of which was published in the RNA's Golden Anniversary anthology, Loves Me, Loves Me Not - am very proud of that!